Marilyn Jean Fischer Gierok

Marilyn was the middle child of five, and is survived by her brother Bill Fischer. 

Marilyn’s family moved from Portland to Seattle in 1934 when she was 4, and to Minnesota in 1947, to Mississippi in 1948, and settled in California in 1949 where in 1956 she was introduced to Richard Dick Gierok by Marilyn’s brother Bill.   At the time Marilyn was a widower with two young boys, Dick fell in love with all of them and on May 11, 1957 Dick and Marilyn were married and together they raised 5 children. 

Marilyn was proceeded in death by their son Stephen Thompson.  She is survived by her son Rick (Mary) Thompson, daughters Cynthia Gierok and Laura (David) Seger, and son Ed (Frances) Gierok.  They had 12 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.  Marilyn was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Marilyn and Dick moved around the country, going from California, to Ohio, to Georgia, and finally settling in Oregon.  As they moved around the family loved camping, Marilyn would make sure the trips were organized, oversaw everyone’s packing to make sure nothing was forgotten – she was the oil that made the family run smoothly whether at home or on the road.

When the children were younger Marilyn ran a mom’s taxi service, shuttling five children between multiple activities and the leader of a Bluebirds troop.   Marilyn was a talented seamstress and knitter.  She made clothes and Halloween costumes for her children and even clothes for her daughter’s dolls, she also took the time to teach her daughters to sew.  Marilyn and Dick were very involved in their local church volunteering for the youth retreats for Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Georgia.  When the children were older Marilyn started to work in sales, selling clothing, furniture, and jewelry.  She found a deep interest in gems and became a certified gemologist.  She also operated a home cleaning business for over a decade in Oregon.  Marilyn was very active until she had to slow down due to her health.  She loved to dance, she was an excellent bowler having thrown multiple perfect games, and enjoyed traveling with Dick, her favorite vacation place was Hawaii.  After retiring Marilyn and Dick both became OSU Master Gardeners and volunteered at the Willamette Valley Winery. 

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

Psalm 23:6

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Willamette Valley Hospice and Palliative Care

http://www.wvh.org/